Silmarillion - The Death of Feanor

Here it is, the drawing I've been dreading to finish and publish. Ta-da!

From left to right (and yes I had to keep notes when I sketched to make sure I remembered which character were which):
Maedhros - Celegorm - Caranthir - Maglor - Curufin - and Amras (I follow the theory that Amrod burned in the ships, and truthfully I had no more room on the page...) - and of course Fëanor being carried between them.

When I read this scene and got this image in mind immediately, I brushed it away, thinking it could not be done, because I have never drawn anything of this level before. The details and the number of people alone frightened me and made me doubtful, but once I started I fund it was only a matter of actually drawing. Once you break it down into pieces and dont think of the drawing as a whole, it all went a lot easier.

There are many mistakes, mostly anatomical, but also my skill of costume design is non-existent, so I do not like the clothes much, except perhaps Maedhros' and Fëanor's armors, they look somewhat how I wanted.

Now concering the characters and their design.

Maedhros: As the oldest and leader of the sons I chose to have him at the head of the trail, looking after them as they take their father off the battle field (ignore awkward background attempts). His expression I tried to make somewhat conflicted, as it is my understanding that Maedhros held his father in contempt for all he did, and yet he has a deep love for him as does all sons whom look up their fathers. I also therefore did not have him help carrying him, but carrying his helmet and sword instead as a symbol of his still great respect for his father.

Celegorm: truthfully I do not have many thoughts about Celegorm, though it's my impression that he holds his father dear and is of the same nature, quick to anger and to revenge, but I also think he has a conscience and regret most of what he does in blinding anger. So in this depiction I decided to have him carry his father as I believe him to have most of thoughts of love and not so much contempt as Maedhros and Amras.

Caranthir: He too I see as very respectful of his father, like in temper and regard of valour, and his image, so being the one who carries most of him fits in my mind. (and do forgive the naked arms, I'm sure that was very unheard of in First Age fashion, I just couldnt help myself!) As his nickname is "the dark" I do think his seriousness in this scene fits well and his responsibility for carrying his father.

Maglor: In my mind Maglor is just a really kind hearted, well meaning guy (I'm sure this is wrong but compared to the other Feanorians thats what I think) He is also said to be the one most similar to his mother in nature and heart, so I feel like his love and devotion to his father, despite all his cruelty, is shown completely in the moment of his death. With the compassion and love of his mother he would forgive all else in the last moments of his father's life and help his brothers.

Curufin: Again, I do not know much about this character, personality wise, but I do like his story of independence and his part in helping Haleth and her people when they were in need. But again he is the one said to be MOST like Fëanor in spirit, sharing his fathers-name, so his emotion would be most furious and emotional at this time. He is helping to carry his father's feet, which in my mind represents his wish for his father's feet not to drag against the ground, symbolically supporting him fully and all he have done throughout his life. I do also think he is the one who would turn quickly to thoughts of revenge and honoring his father after this.

Amras: Aaand then there was Amras, the poor fellow. He is the only one not touching, not even looking at his father in this moment. This is firstly because I had no chance of having the space to do anything else with him, but also I think it fits his story. I follow the "unfinished tales" version where his brother died in the ship burning at the hand of their father, so I imagine his resentment is constant from that moment forth and he can never make himself forgive Fëanor for his role in his brother's death. But he is acting as a form of guard for his brother's whom he still loves and stands with them in this moment of sadness in all their lives. He is conflicted of course, because it is his father and as all elven children he do harbour a deep love for his father, but it is clouded by his anger.

Gosh, I definitely do not blame you if you do not feel like reading all of this but these are my thoughts on this drawing, the most intense drawing of my life, flawed as it may be. Really annoys me that Amras went outside the paper, but thats poor preparation for you.. However I am just baffled that I managed to finish this at all. I actually postponed it for about a month, as most was drawn by the end of January, except for Amras and Curufin, which I struggled most with.

And I have never wished for a scanner more in my life, but this crappy photo will have to do for now. I hope you can appreciate the drawing anyways, and do give me your thoughts on it. I do love a lively discussion about theories, so dont be shy.